Hi there,
I have several questions about buying a macbook pro in Japan :
1/ If I buy a macbook though the refurb store online, I suppose I have to pay the japanese tax (which are 8% normally) ?
It's apparently confirmed here.
2/ Can I buy a refurbished macbook physically in an Apple Store ? Or is it only online ?
3/ To benefit of not paying tax, we can only buy new apple products then ?
Thank you for your replies.
Apple refurbished products are only available online.
You can only purchase from the online Apple store in the country you are in (including your shipping/billing address).
As for taxes, Apple has to abide by local/states/country laws, so it's best to check those.
I don't understand your question # 3. If you are in a location where you have to pay a tax, it doesn't matter if the product is new or refurbished (except for the price and therefore the amount of the tax).
You will always be charged the appropriate sales tax for where you purchase the product regardless if new or refurbished. Most Apple Stores do not sell refurbished units, but may sell open-box returns at a lower price if they have any.
There is no legal way to avoid the payment of applicable sales tax regardless if the product is new or refurbished. If there was a legal way to do so, then you would have to inquire of the vendor.
Thank you for your reply.
About the tax : actually as a tourist in Japan you can buy Apple products in excluding tax but you need to purchase in person in the shop. You need of course show your passport and your tourist stamp.
That was my case in a Uniqlo shop : you get a 8% discount (= japanese tax) if you buy more than 30000 yen.
That's why it's interesting to buy in foreign countries
And normally you have to declare your purchase to the customs when you go back to your country.
In my case, when I go back to France, I should pay a 20% tax on my product. But a lot of people doesn't declare their purchases when tehy go back home.
That's why I was asking if it was possible to buy refurbished product phiscally.
Because purchasing online doesn't allow you to get the tax discount :/
Discuss your situation with Customs. This is not a topic that fits into the purpose of these forums.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5952
Ciao.
Buying macbook pro in Japan : refurb store and tax
